EM Waves

What are electromagnetic waves? 12.1 Sound and Water Waves The sound wave is moving through air and the water wave through water. Without matter to transfer the energy, they cannot move.

Electromagnetic Waves What are electromagnetic waves? 12.1 Electromagnetic Waves Electromagnetic waves are made by vibrating electric charges and can travel through space where matter is not present. Instead of transferring energy from particle to particle, electromagnetic waves travel by transferring energy between vibrating electric and magnetic fields.

Magnetic Fields and Moving Charges What are electromagnetic waves? 12.1 Magnetic Fields and Moving Charges An electric current in a wire is the flow of electrons in a single direction. It is the motion of these electrons that creates the magnetic field around the wire.

Making Electromagnetic Waves What are electromagnetic waves? 12.1 Making Electromagnetic Waves A vibrating electric charge creates an electromagnetic wave that travels outward in all directions from the charge. The wave in only one direction is shown here.

Properties of Electromagnetic Waves What are electromagnetic waves? 12.1 Properties of Electromagnetic Waves All objects emit electromagnetic waves. The wavelengths of the emitted waves become shorter as the temperature of the material increases.

Properties of Electromagnetic Waves What are electromagnetic waves? 12.1 Properties of Electromagnetic Waves For example, electromagnetic waves from the Sun cause electrons in your skin to vibrate and gain energy, as shown. The energy carried by an electromagnetic wave is called radiant energy.

Wave Speed 12.1 Nothing travels faster than the speed of light. What are electromagnetic waves? 12.1 Wave Speed Nothing travels faster than the speed of light. In matter, the speed of electromagnetic waves depends on the material they travel through.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum 12.2 A Range of Frequencies Electromagnetic waves can have a wide variety of frequencies. The entire range of electromagnetic wave frequencies is known as the electromagnetic spectrum.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum 12.2 Microwaves Radio waves are low-frequency electromagnetic waves with wavelengths longer than about 1 mm. Radio waves with wavelengths of less than 1 mm are called microwaves.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum 12.2 Infrared Waves When you stand in front of a fireplace, you feel the warmth of the blazing fire. The warmth you feel is thermal energy transmitted to you by infrared waves, which are a type of electromagnetic wave with wavelengths between about 1 mm and about 750 billionths of a meter.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum 12.2 Visible Light Visible light is the range of electromagnetic waves that you can detect with your eyes. Visible light has wavelengths around 750 billionths to 400 billionths of a meter.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum 12.2 Ultraviolet Waves Ultraviolet waves are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths from about 400 billionths to 10 billionths of a meter. Overexposure to ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage and cancer.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum 12.2 X Rays and Gamma Rays The electromagnetic waves with the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies are X rays and gamma rays. Both X rays and gamma rays are high energy electromagnetic waves.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum 12.2 X Rays and Gamma Rays Electromagnetic waves with wavelengths shorter than about 10 trillionths of a meter are gamma rays. These are the highest-energy electromagnetic waves and can penetrate through several centimeters of lead.